Pastor Darcy
When I was a child, June was filled with the anticipation and excitement of the end of a school year and the beginning of summer vacation. As I have gotten older, I understand more fully how June is a month of various transitions. There are the endings of a school year and the beginning of summer break. It is time of saying goodbye to friends who are moving and then saying hello to new friends who are moving to the neighborhood. It is a time of gratitude - saying thank you to teachers and others who have supported us throughout the year. It is a time of hopefulness as new doors are opened and new opportunities are revealed.
June at LCOC are filled with many of these transitions:
· June 4th - Sarah, Seth, and Sarah will affirm their baptisms. We will also say thank you to Ray for his 8 years of teaching Confirmation.
· June 11th - we will say thank you to Laurie Cognetta as she finishes her time as interim organist at LCOC.
· June 18th - we will welcome René Milam as the new organist and we will wish the McLaughlin's Godspeed as they move to Massachusetts.
· June 19-23rd - we will welcome young people and their families as learn and have fun together during our VBS - "Hero Central - Discover your strength in God".
· June 25th - we will celebrate the joys and learnings during this past ministry year and say thank you to all for the volunteers during this past year. The service will be followed by a church picnic!
Please read through this newsletter for more details about ALL the upcoming events and opportunities. I invite you to intentionally say thank you to someone this month. I also invite you to give thanks for how you have experienced God in your life during this past ministry year. Then I invite you to prayerfully consider what new doors and new opportunities God may be opening for you in the year to come to
Gather...Grow...Give...and Go!
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Council President
Sharing in God's Mission
at
Lutheran Church of the Covenant
Dear brothers and sisters-in-Christ
,
Thank you for your continued love for and support of our Pastor Darcy. I'm grateful that we can now fully focus on our mission and ministries here at LCOC and out in the community. Please pray about and considering being a part of all that's going on this summer at and through our church. Please share all these exciting events with your family, friends, and neighbors: a very Special Musical Performance: Brass Quintet on June 4th; Vacation Bible School (behind the scenes or at the program) each evening June 19th-23rd; our Annual Church Picnic on June 25th. I pray that you will attend and/or support all of these great opportunities, as well as, Sunday school and, of course, Worship. We have so much to be grateful for here at LCOC. Please join me in thanking and praising God for all of our blessings which all come from Him.
Please know that I will continue to pray for all of you, and I ask that you pray daily for all your brothers and sisters here at LCOC and that we are carrying out God's will for us in this place, in the community, and in the world. I ask that if you have any questions, concerns, suggestions, comments, etc. that you feel free to talk to me (in person, by phone (703-670-8365), or through email
roger.jo@verizon.net
). But more than anything, I ask that we all remember never to limit what God can do through us in carrying out our mutual missions!
May God bless you all as you are a blessing to me and many others.
Love,
Jo Ann Rudy
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GATHER
to worship God and fellowship with the community
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June 4th- Pentecost and Confirmation celebration - all are invited to wear red
June 11th - We will give thanks for Laurie Cognetta and the gifts she has shared as our interim organist
June 18th - We will welcome Rene Milam as our new organist. We will wish the McLaughlin's Godspeed as they move.
June 25th - We will celebrate all of the volunteers during this past ministry year.
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| Church Picnic 2016 |
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Fellowship
Saturday, May 13th 16 members came together and enjoyed our "Dinner and a Family Movie Night". We went to Potomac Mills AMC theater to see the new "Beauty and the Beast" movie and after headed over to Bahama Breeze restaurant to enjoy some food & more fellowship. It was a great time!
Mark your calendar: Church Picnic June 25th
Before everyone heads off to those great Summer destinations, join your LCOC family for our Annual Church Picnic - June 25th, 11:30 a.m. at Cloverdale Park. There will be lots of great food, fun games, and time to relax with your LCOC family. A sign-up sheet will be coming soon.
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| Prayer Breakfast |
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Our next meeting is June 10th
at 7:30 am
in the DFH.
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| LCOC Prayer Garden |
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Community Prayer Group
The LCOC community prayer group meets the second Saturday of each month from 7:30 am to 9 am in the Work Room. We share prayers of concern and numerous praises along with a strong cup of coffee. We offer this time to the community and congregation to join us for prayer, openly or privately. We will meet again on June 10 at 7:30 am.
Matt. 21:13 - my house will be called a house of prayer,.....
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GROW
in our relationship with God through prayer, Bible Study, and service
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Adult Education
We switch to 9:00 am Adult Education beginning June 4th through September 10th.
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June 4
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All are invited to a special breakfast banquet to celebrate our confirmands!
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June 11
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Special Guest: Beth Seidler -
IWalk for ACTS!
Come and hear news about how LCOC's generosity supports the work of ACTS and how we can participate in this year's IWalk!
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June 18
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Philippians - Chapters 1 and 2
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June 25
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Philippians - Chapters 3 and 4
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Special Summer Study: Pray Like Jesus: Rediscovering the Lord's Prayer
Stay tuned for more details...
Join us, the coffee is ready!
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Preparations continue for this year's Vacation Bible School (VBS):
Dear Lutheran Church of the Covenant Family
There are many rewarding opportunities to serve the Lord
Preparing For and/or Assisting Vacation Bible School
June 19-23, 2017 (6:00PM to 8:30PM)
Please prayerfully consider volunteering your time and/or talents
Next planning meeting is Sunday April 30 after late service
The "Hero Central" VBS program of five nightly sessions will begin with a free supper meal for children and parents, include opening and closing assemblies in the LCOC sanctuary with nightly themes:
- Monday- God's Heroes Have Heart (Samuel anoints David)
- Tuesday - God's Heroes Have Courage (Abigail saves the day)
- Wednesday- God's Heroes Have Wisdom (Jesus goes to the Temple)
- Thursday- God's Heroes Have Hope (Beatitudes)
- Friday- God's Heroes Have Power (Pentecost)
- And daily storytelling, craft making, and science activities
Volunteer Needs
VBS Directors-
Diane DeGroodt and Stacey Rosenquist
Opening and Closing Assembly Players- (5-20 lines of dialogue each session)
- Captain Shield - Facilitator of each assembly (adult role)
- Flame - Puppet - need puppeteer (teenage or adult role)
- Commander Zander (authoritative captain) (teenage or adult role)
- Agent Eagle (teenage or adult role)
- Agent Falcon (teenage or adult role)
- Song leader (using music CD) (teenage or adult role)
Activity Leaders
- Storyteller- Jo Ann Rudy and (adult assistants)
- Crafts- Patti Beatty and (adult assistants)
- Science- Kristi Stoller and (adult assistants)
Meal Preparers
(Dave Zamora, Harriet Richards, Mark Gimmi, Roger Rudy)
"Do good! Seek peace and go after it!
Questions? Respond to the VBS Team at vbs@lcocdalecity.org
Open this link to view projects and materials required for VBS:
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| Seth, Sarah & Sarah |
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Confirmation Corner
Join us on Sunday, June 4th as we congratulate and celebrate this years graduating confirmation class.
We will have a Potluck Continental Breakfast at 9:00 am with a slide show, meet the Angels and thank Ray for his years of teaching the class. At the 10:00 am service the kids will be recognized and after the service a cake and punch will be served.
Would you like to bring some food to share?
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 Congratulations to our High School Graduates!
Ethan Mark DeGroodt
will be attending George Mason University in the fall. He is enrolled in the School of Engineering & Honors College.
Brynn Ann Lembke will be attending James Madison University in the fall. She will be majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice.
Kyle Robert George Smith will attend the College of William & Mary in the fall.
He will be majoring in Biology.
Ryan Hayes Sutton will be attending the University of North Florida in the fall. He will be majoring in Graphic Design.
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Prayer Opportunities
Prayer Chain Ministry:
Please send an email to prayerchain@lcocdalecity.org
or call the Prayer Chain Lead at 571-210-1979
Free Ceaseless Prayer App:
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| Breakfast with
the Easter Bunny 2017
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Youth Group
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GIVE
of our resources, time, and talents in response to God's extravagant generosity towards us
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| Stop Hunger Now 2017 |
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Stewardship
Please continue to keep our ministries in your prayers and if you haven't already signed up to be part of the upcoming Vacation Bible School taking place the evenings of June 19-23, please do so. There will be plenty of opportunities to help with prep and behind the scenes aspects as well as during the actual sessions.
Keep other ministries in mind as well and think about using your gifts to serve and help with the Backpack Drive, Operation Turkey and Christmas Gifts for those in need later in the year. Time does fly by and those projects will be upon us before you know it. I am working with some community partners again to increase the impact of our Backpack Drive. Our contact at Neabsco Elementary will be sending me the approved list of school supplies and as soon as that is in hand we will make handouts available by grade level so that our supportive members can help ready backpacks or items to go towards them as God leads them and they are able. Stay tuned for that!
I sent out an email to members who expressed interest in helping with one time projects to gather a team to help us make Operation Turkey and Untrim-A-Tree big successes and enrich the lives of those in need. Have a couple of individuals who will be working with Stewardship on both these projects-would love to have more of you join us to get together and see how best to provide what's needed, boost participation, and gather the needed items. What a great way to give back!
Thinking ahead even farther, I am submitting the application for LCOC to host a Rise Against Hunger event on March 10, 2018. Woodbridge Rotary and some other groups will probably be pitching in so that we can strive for 30,000 meals. To accomplish this, we will likely run two shifts on the day of the event. We will be taking up offerings at various functions and during the adult education hour as we did last year to fund the meal materials. Please mark your calendars for March 10, 2018 and encourage friends and neighbors to join in.
Thank you also for your generosity in your financial commitment and consider using the Vanco option which can be accessed online at:
https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco
if you haven't already done so. Please consider becoming a Thrivent member as well and if you already are a member and use Thrivent products, make use of the Action Team funds that are available to help fund LCOC's ministry projects. This seed money really makes a difference and helps us increase the scope of our service projects.
Finally, please enjoy and take a moment to think about a simple, but powerful quote and verses about gifts and talents-which we all have!
"Use what talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best."- Henry Van Dyke
1 Peter 4:10
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." (ESV)
In love and peace,
Patti Beattie
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Amazon Smile:
Amazon members can help support LCOC while you shop! Click on the link below and pick Lutheran Church of the Covenant as your favorite organization and start shopping! We will receive a percentage of the sale.
Good shop:
Support Lutheran Church of the Covenant when you search the Web at goodsearch.com or shop online with Goodshop.com.
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 Property
Thank you Mark for updating the new restroom light switches with automatic ones!
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GO
forth to serve others and share the story of God's love for all
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CPR Training Class
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We had a large group come out to learn the "Hands Only" CPR course on May 20th. It was very informative.
In June, we will be offering a Musical celebration on June 4th at 3 PM at LCOC by the Mike Bellinger Quintet. Please come to support their group. Thanks for your consideration, God Bless, Darla Ferris
GREETERS LIST FOR SUMMER 2017
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Hilda Barg Homeless Shelter |
Dear Church Family,
Thank you for your continued support to our outreach program at the Hilda Barg Homeless Shelter. LCOC will be serving meals on August 20, 21, and 22.
A menu will be posted at the end of July. Please consider giving a monetary donation so we can purchase and prepare the meals.
Blessings in Christ
Sandy Strychowski.
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Happy Birthday to you!
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JUNE
2 Nicole M.
3 Toi L.
4 Xavier D.
4 Ryan S.
5 Ryan L.
5 Dave Z.
7 Andreas K.
7 Julia K.
7 Amber R.
8 Jon S.
9 Joshua C.
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Rita K.
11 Roger R.
12 Madison K.
16 Darla F.
17 Lauren P.
20 Melanie H.
24 Ashley H.
24 Jim O.
26 Cody K.
26 Lauren L.
26 Melissa M.
26 Jillian R.
28 Paul G.
28 Marie H.
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Happy Anniversary
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Rich & Marcie C.
June 20, 1981
Carl & Eileen E.
June 5, 1965
Al & Joyce G.
June 28, 2003
John & Mary K.
June 5, 1965
Shawn & Amber R.
June 7, 1996
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Baptism Anniversaries
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Mary S.
Michael A.
Ryan L.
Kathy L.
Jessica R.
Carla K.
Lauren P.
Toi L.
Emily D.
Darla F.
Paul G.
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Homebound Members
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Ruth J.
Jean J.
Mary S.
Virginia S. |
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Members in the Military
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Tyler R.
Tom M.
Ryan L.
Samuel B.
Please remember to keep our service members and their families in your prayers as they serve our country. If you have someone to add to this list, please contact the office.
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Flower Calendar
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The altar flowers for this month are given to the glory of God and contributed by:
June 4
John K. in celebration of Rita's birthday
Ray & Cindi S. and family in celebration
of Ryan's birthday and graduation!
Georgiann T in honor of her mother'sbirthday
June 11
Roger & JoAnn R. in memory of brother Jim S.
Tricia S. and family in celebration of Jon's birthday
June 18
Rich & Marcie C. in celebration of
Kelly & Ryan's wedding
June 25
Stacey R. and family in celebration
of Jillian's birthday
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OPPORTUNITIES TO USE OUR GIFTS
AT LCOC AND BEYOND
We are fortunate to be able to use our gifts that God has provided us through a variety of ways. Ongoing ways to use your gifts are to sign up to be a part of supporting Neabsco Elementary in many ways and in being a part of the gardening team at LCOC to help keep our landscape beautiful. Future experiences involve Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, (If you have questions, please see Jo Ann Rudy), and helping with Vacation Bible School - (all at LCOC).
When we choose to give our time, energy and talents to serve others, we are taking part in God's work to share the love of Christ and give God glory. With God working in us and through us, we can make a difference!
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OTLWB Book Club
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The Book Club is meeting on June 12th
(at 12:30 p.m. in the workroom)
to discuss
Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler
Summer 2017 Reads:
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion
If you would like more information,
please see Sandy S. or Diane D.
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| Mend-A-House |
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Project Mend-A-House
Would you like to participate in the next project?
contact Ralph Morse
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Congratulations to :
Arianna Rose, B.S., Public Relations, minor in Music, Virginia Commonwealth University. Graduated May 12!
Shannon Rose completed her NVCC 2-year studies with a 4.0 GPA and heads to UVA in August.
Lukas Stafira, grandson of Coy & Gudrun Adams, graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. He has been commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF, assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB Dayton, Ohio.
Cooper Schilder graduated from Virginia Tech's Architecture Program with a Master of Architecture and will be working for the firm of Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners in Georgetown, DC.
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THRIVENT/LCOC ACTION TEAMS
What a great celebration on Sunday, May 21st, as we gathered to learn more about Action Teams and Choice Dollars; acknowledge and celebrate our family members who have applied for and/or completed Action Teams; and enjoy a delicious brunch. Thanks again to Marty Cox for sharing his expertise with us on these special opportunities that Thrivent offers its' members and associates.
Thanks to our LCOC members who have lived generously and made a difference by securing Action Teams and seed money and serving our community in a variety of ways: Katie Boivin, Pastor Darcy, Colette Lyngdal, Lloyd Lyngdal, Brian Richard, Jo Ann Rudy, Roger Rudy, Cindi Sutton, Ray Sutton, and Tricia Schilder.
Thanks to everyone who attended. Special thanks to Marty Cox and Kim Blanchfield from the Thrivent Dulles Group for sponsoring this wonderful event!
Jo Ann
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NEABSCO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
THANKS so very much to all of you who have supported Neabsco Elementary by bringing in food for the students in need. THANKS also for all who donated "Milk Money" for the children as well. We will be delivering all of these special gifts on June 5th. Please continue to pray for the students, staff, and faculty at our neighboring school. We also hope to find ways to reach out to these children and their families during their time off this summer.
THANKS AGAIN. Jo Ann
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Dear LCOC Family Member ~
If you've never spent time in any of the outside sanctuaries surrounding our church, you are missing an opportunity to feel God's awesome peace and His presence. Allow me to take you on a walk through some of the gardens as we explore what is happening as spring makes way for summer:
- On our walk today, we quickly realize that May is feeling more like April with its' cooler temperatures and rain-filled days. We embrace and try to hang on to this pleasant experience.
- Most of the spring bloomers are a recent memory now, yet the pansies by the entrance, remain strong as they enjoy their preferred weather. In clear sight are reminders that late spring has arrived as we marvel at the beautiful white and pink Gumpo azaleas.
- We stop to smell the beautiful red roses as we round the corner near the side entrance to the "indoor" sanctuary.
- The Children's Garden is bursting forth with coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, miniature gladiolus, and daylilies. We look forward to enjoying these beauties in full bloom this summer. However, we do admire the purple geraniums (the real geraniums) smiling at us as they peer out from underneath the tree in that same garden.
- The Cardinal parents are announcing that they have an "empty nest" once more as their babies are now on their own.
- Regal orange, cranberry, and yellow liliums stand straight among the many perennials in the memorial garden.
- As we near the back patio, we realize the Catbirds have returned to devour the fruit of the Mahonia - Oregon Grape. These interesting creatures have almost stripped these bushes bare.
- The hummingbird feeder is up and waiting for the brightly colored beings to come by for a drink.
- In checking our bluebird boxes for the first time this season, we see in the first one, that there is a bluebird nest with a wren nest on top. In the second box, is a chickadee nest with another wren nest on top. Hopefully, everyone has been successfully in laying eggs, hatching babies, and having them all fledge the nests.
- Finishing our walk, we see other shrubs in bloom, hear birds singing sweetly in the trees, watch as squirrels scamper around, keep an eye out for the pileated woodpecker we spotted recently (with help from a friend), acknowledge the soaring and sound of the resident hawk high above, smile when hearing the neighborhood rooster greet the day, and pause to thank God for this blessed place.
You are encouraged to take a self-guided tour through our wonderful landscape here at LCOC. But be ready - you are going to experience God's peace and presence - so enjoy this special time with our Creator! Next month, we'll see what's happening as summer makes its' debut.
"In June, as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries, no man can ignore all of them." ~ Aldo Leopold
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Take a look at our web site
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Office Hours:
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Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 1:30 pm
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